The rookie wide receiver opens up about his Union Square shooting and why he’s choosing empathy over anger

If you think rookie seasons in the NFL are tough, try adding a gunshot wound to the chest to the mix. That’s the reality San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall faced in 2024, and somehow, he’s come out on the other side with more grace and perspective than most people would muster in a lifetime.

It all went down in San Francisco’s Union Square before the season began. A 17-year-old, looking to snag Pearsall’s Rolex, ended up firing a gun during the scuffle. The bullet struck Pearsall, who miraculously survived and was back in the weight room just days later. You’d think something like this might derail a promising NFL career, but not for Pearsall. By mid-October, he was suiting up for the Niners, and he finished the year with a respectable 31 receptions, 400 yards, and three touchdowns. Not bad for someone who started the season in a hospital bed.

Now that the dust has settled on the 49ers’ disappointing 6-11 season, Pearsall is reflecting on the incident-and he’s taking the high road. In an interview with KNBR, the young wideout shared his thoughts on the teenager who shot him. Surprisingly, there’s no bitterness here. “I don’t know how he grew up, so I can’t judge him as a man just based off one action,”Pearsall said. That’s the kind of perspective most people twice his age struggle to find.

Ricky Pearsall goes in-depth about being shot, and would like to forgive and talk to the kid who shot him during an attempted robbery.

“I don’t how how he grew up so, I can’t judge him as a man just based off one action that he made. As violent as a crime as it was, god forbid… pic.twitter.com/1ycoUYha88

— KNBR (@KNBR) January 6, 2025

Turning trauma into purpose: Pearsall’s path to forgiveness and growth

But Pearsall didn’t stop there. He even floated the idea of having a conversation with the teen. “If I can create an impact on him in any way, I think that would be really big,”he said. For Pearsall, forgiveness isn’t just about letting go-it’s about potentially steering someone else toward a better path.

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For now, Pearsall’s focus is shifting. During the season, he buried the incident to stay locked in on football, but with the offseason here, he plans to address the legal and personal fallout. The 49ers might be reeling from a tough season, but Pearsall’s story is a rare bright spot, a testament to resilience and character.

As he gears up for his sophomore campaign, Pearsall isn’t just aiming for more catches or touchdowns. He’s hoping to turn one of the darkest moments of his life into something meaningful-for himself and maybe even for the kid who pulled the trigger.

VIDEO: Victor Wembanyama Explains San Antonio Spurs’ Fourth Quarter Struggles Following Narrow Defeat Against Chicago Bulls

Victor Wembanyama (Image Credit: @SpursReporter/X)
Fans at the United Center observed a fierce contest between the Chicago Bulls and the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs exhibited strong performances during the initial three quarters but struggled significantly in the fourth quarter. In light of this disappointment, Spurs star Victor Wembanyama recently addressed the outcome.

The Spurs scored 15 points during the fourth quarter, ultimately leading to a disappointing 114-110 defeat against the Bulls. In the post-game press conference, Wembanyama addressed the team’s challenges in the final quarter, providing insight into the Spurs’ performance issues.

“Teams adapt during the game, and maybe we don’t adapt enough. But it is definitely something that I’m going work on predicting the adjustment of the defence because right now, for sure, we need to have more than one plane.” Wembanyama said.

Wembanyama displayed stellar efforts against the Bulls for the team. He scored 23 points, four assists, and 14 rebounds in 35 minutes of play. However, these efforts were not enough to clinch the win.

Victor Wembanyama Shares His Mindset For The Upcoming Games

The Spurs are facing a challenging situation in the 2024-25 NBA season. They currently sit at the 10th spot in the Western Conference standings, with 18 wins and 18 losses. Any additional losses could make the remainder of the season even more difficult. Following their recent loss to the Bulls, Wembanyama reflects on his mindset for the upcoming games.